Shell-fuse



(No Model.)

F. H. COGSWELL.

SHELL FUSE.

No. 593,765. Patented Nov. 16,1897.

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FRANK H. COGSVELL, OF IPSWICH, MASSACHUSETTS.

SHELL-FUSE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 593,765, dated November 16, 1897'.

Application filed February 25, 1897. Serial No. 625,004. (No model.)

.To (ir/ZZ whom t may concern,.-

Beit known that I, FRANK 1I. CoGsWELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ips- Wich, county of Essex, and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fuses for Projectiles, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawing, forming a part of the same.

This invention relates to fuses for explosive projectiles or shells.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved construction whereby the fuse composition Will be ignited by the flight of the projectile. To this end I employ a fan wheel or vane arranged to be rotated by the pressure of the air in the flight of the projectile and to cause a movement whereby a friction explosive is ignited, from Which in turn the fuse composition is ignited, all as hereinafter fully described, and pointed outin the claims.

The accompanying drawing shows in central longitudinal section a preferred construction embodying all the features of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, 10 is a metallic casing or shell, preferably cylindrical and formed at one end with an external flan ge or shoulder 11 and with an external screw-thread 12 for the purpose of securing the fuse in the point or apex of the projectile. In the outer end ofthe casing a spindle. 13 is rotatably mounted centrally of the casing, being preferably journaled in diaphragms 14 and 15, seated on shoulders 1 and 2, which diaphragms are preferably provided with airpassages 4. and 5. The outer end of the spindle 13 carries a fan-wheel 16, having one or more fans or vanes set at an angle such that the pressure of the air in the Hight of the projectile Will cause the fan-Wheel and the spindle to rotate relatively to the projectile. The other end of the spindle extends into a central opening 17 in a diaphragm 1S, seated on a shoulder 3, and is provided with a pellet or coating 19 of a substance readily ignitible by friction, and herein for convenience called friction explosive. The Walls of the opening 17 are provided with a friction-surface, as by being coated with* Vsand or other suitable material, and the opening 17 and the pellet or coating of friction explosive 19 are of such relative size that the friction explosive Will contact With the Walls of the opening, so that the rotation of the spindle 13 will cause it to be ignited through friction. It is evident that instead of the arrangement shown the Walls of the opening 17 might be coated With friction explosive to be ignited by friction with the revolving spindle, or the parts might be otherwise arranged so as to cause the friction explosive to be ignited through the action of the revolving spindle.

Beyond the diaphragm 1S the casing 10 forms a chamber 20, which contains the fuse composition, preferably a slow-burning powder compound. Directly beneath the diaphragm 1S there is preferably a layer of quick-burning material 21, as cotton treated with paraffin.

In use, the fuse being secured in the end 0f the projectile, ou the discharge of the projectile the pressure of the air on the fan- Wheel Will cause the fan-Wheel and the spindle to rotate and the friction explosive to be thereby ignited. The quick-burning material 21 Will be ignited by the friction explosive, and in turn will ignite the fuse composition by which the explosive charge of the projectile Will be fired. The projectile Will thus be exploded at a predetermined time after leaving the gun, the length of time depending on the character of the fuse composition, its length, and its density.

A cover 25 is preferably provided for protecting and holding the fan-Wheel against rotation before the firing of the projectile. This cover is preferably a metal disk or patch formed to fit into the casing and provided With a lug or arm by which it may be conveniently removed before firing.

It is evident that instead of making a fuse as a complete construction in itself separate from the projectile on which it is to be used, as shown, a fuse embodying the invention may be constructed as part of a projectile.

It will be understood that t-he preferred construction shown may be changed in various Ways without departing from the invention. The term fan-Wheel. in the claims will be understood to include all suitable devices, whether having one or more fans or IOO vanes, adapted to cause the rotation of the spindle relatively to the projectile by presa fan-wheel carried by the spindle, friction explosive arranged to be ignited by the rotation of the spindle, and slow-burning fuse composition arranged to be ignited by the friction explosive, substantially as described.

3. In a fuse, the combination of a spindle, a fan-wheel carried by the spindle, friction explosive arranged to be ignited by the rotation of the spindle, slow-burning fuse composition, and quick-burning material between the fuse composition and the friction explosive, substantially as described. i

4. In a fuse, the combination of a spindle, a fan-Wheel carried by the spindle, and friction explosive on the spindle, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a casing 10, of spindle 13, fan-wheel16, friction explosive on said spindle, and a friction-surface in position tates, substantially as described;

6. The combination with a cylindrical casing l provided with an external flange and an external screw-thread at one end, of spindle 13, fan-wlieel16, friction explosive on said spindle, and a friction-surface in position to engage said explosive when the spindle rotates, substantially as described.

7. The combination with a casing 10, of

` spindle 13, fan-wheel 16, and friction explosive carried by the spindle in position to engage the Walls of an opening 17 in a diaphragm 18, substantially as described.

8. The combination with acasing having interior shoulders 1, 2, 3, of diaphragms 14, and 18 seated on said shoulders, spindle l 13 journaled in diaphragms 14 and 15, fanwheel 16 carried by the spindle, and friction explosive carried by the spindle in position to engage the walls of an opening 17 in vthe a diaphragm 18, substantially as described.

9. The combination with a casing 10, of diaphragms 14, 15 and 18, spindle 13 journaled in diaphragms 14 and l5, air-openings 4 and 5 in diaphragms 14 and 15, fan-wheel 16 carried by the spindle, and friction explosive carried by the spindle in position to engage the walls of an opening 17 in the diaphragm 18, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing,Y witnesses. to engage said explosive when the spindle ro- FRANK H. COGSVVELL.

Witnesses:

LYMAN H. DANIELs, FRANK W. KYEs. 

